2015 GMC Terrain Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

79Engine complaints

26.8%Of all 295 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

VISIBILITY/WIPER101 · 34.2%

ENGINE79 · 26.8%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM31 · 10.5%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING23 · 7.8%

POWER TRAIN21 · 7.1%

Share of the 295 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2015 GMC Terrain overview page.

What owners report

“I HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MY CAR THE DEALERSHIP TO ME MY COIL IGNITION HAS A CRACK IN IT AND THE IS A LOT…”NHTSA complaint 11307631 — filed 02/07/2020

“THE MANIFOLD AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS CRACKED AND EMITTING HAZARDOUS CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE CAR. FOR CLOSE TO 2 MONTHS MY…”NHTSA complaint 11299703 — filed 01/16/2020

“WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT VERY SLOW THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND DAMAGED CAR IN FRONT THERE ARE TRACTION MARKS SHOWING THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE…”NHTSA complaint 11289738 — filed 12/17/2019

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2015 GMC Terrain have engine problems?

Engine is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2015 GMC Terrain: 79 of 295 complaints on file (26.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2015 GMC Terrain have in total?

295 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 9 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, 6 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.